Episode 220. Ken Ham – Speaker, Author, President, CEO, and Founder of Answers in Genesis
The president, CEO, and founder of Answers in Genesis-US, the highly acclaimed Creation Museum, and the world-renowned Ark Encounter, Ken Ham is one of the most in-demand Christian speakers in North America.
Born a native Australian in 1951, Ken moved to America in 1987 to speak with another young-Earth creationist organization, the Institute for Creation Research (ICR). In 1994, Ham left ICR & founded Creation Science Ministries- changing its name to what is today known as
Answers in Genesis or AiG-with the purpose of upholding the authority of the Bible from the very 1st verse. In May 2007, AiG opened Ham’s brainchild, a 75,000-sq-ft high-tech state-of-the-art facility-better known as the Creation Museum & education center, on 70 scenic acres in Petersburg, Kentucky. It contains dozens of world-class exhibits-including impressive animatronic dinosaur models, a $1 million allosaur fossil, & a planetarium. In its 1st 10 years, the museum attracted 3 million guests!
On Feb. 4th, 2014, Ken became known worldwide when he debated American science educator & engineer Bill Nye, better known as “Bill Nye the Science Guy,” in a cordial-yet-spirited debate. They discussed in front of a live audience whether young-Earth creationism is a viable model of origins vs. Nye’s more contemporary scientific model. It has been estimated that over 3 million people worldwide watched the debate live via online streaming & it was Facebook’s #1 trending topic that day!
In July 2016, AiG opened the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky, about 40 miles south of the Creation Museum. In its first 10 weeks, it drew over 300,000 awe-struck visitors & 200 media! The attraction features a life-size Ark as its centerpiece, with a zoo built behind the Ark & a 1,500-seat restaurant. Ken has authored many books on Genesis, including the eye-opening book Already Gone, coauthored by renowned researcher Britt Beemer, on why so many young people have left the church; the best-selling book The Lie Evolution & several children’s books such as Dinosaurs of Eden, D is for Dinosaur, A is for Adam & so on. Other recent coauthored books include the provocative book Already Compromised about Christian colleges & how they treat the authority of the Bible. Ken is heard daily on the radio feature-Answers with Ken Ham (broadcast on more than 950 stations) & has been a frequent guest on national TV programs such as the CBS News Sunday Morning, The NBC Nightly News, The PBS News Hour & many other outlets. Ken is also the founder of the award-winning Answers Magazine., which in 2011 won the prestigious “Award of Excellence” (for top Christian magazines) from the Evangelical Press Association. He also writes articles for AiG’s popular website: answersingenesis.org, the 2012 “Best Ministry Website” awarded by the 1,200-member National Religious Broadcasters. Ken emphasizes the relevance & authority of the book of Genesis to the life of the average Christian & how a compromise on Genesis has opened a dangerous door regarding how the culture and church view biblical authority. His Australian accent, a keen sense of humor, captivating stories, and exceptional PowerPoint/Keynote illustrations have made him 1 of North America’s most effective Christian communicators. Several of his live talks were recorded & released in a 2011 DVD set & curriculum titled Foundations.
Ken’s educational degrees are numerous, with a bachelor’s degree in applied science (with an emphasis on environmental biology awarded by the Queensland Institute of Technology in Australia & a diploma of education from the University of Queensland. In addition, due to Ken’s unwavering contribution to the church in the USA & internationally, Ken has been awarded 5 honorary doctorates:
- In 1997, a Doctor of Divinity from Temple Baptist College in Cincinnati, Ohio;
- In 2004, a Doctor of Literature from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.
- In 2010, a Doctor of Letters from Tennessee Temple University.
- In 2012, a Doctorate in Humane Letters from Mid-Continent University.
- & in 2017-Doctor of Science from Bryan College in Tennessee.
Ken & his wife, Marilyn (better known as Mally), reside in Cincinnati, Ohio. area. They have 5 children & 16 grandchildren.